Kyiv, Ukraine – A Russian drone struck the newsroom of Ukrainian television channel We Are Ukraine in Kyiv on Tuesday, Sept. 8, while journalists were broadcasting live, injuring several employees and temporarily knocking the station off the air.
The drone’s main impact damaged the newsroom and staff offices, according to the channel and Ukrainian authorities.
We Are Ukraine General Producer Yuriy Sugak said six employees were injured, with their injuries ranging from minor to moderate. They received medical treatment following the strike.
In an interview with reporters, Sugak said the attack was aimed at silencing journalists and people speaking out against Russia’s aggression.
Despite the damage, Sugak said the team was already finding ways to resume operations and get the channel back on air.
The strike happened as journalists were working inside the building and providing coverage for Ukraine’s United News national telethon.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the strike, saying Russia had “struck the media and journalists.”
“‘Shaheds’ against the media is a new page in Russia’s degradation, and there must be a reaction from Europe and the world to this,” Zelenskyy said.
He called on Ukraine’s international partners to respond, saying attacks against Ukrainians should not go unpunished.
The strike on the television offices followed a wider Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv overnight and Tuesday morning that damaged residential buildings and other sites across the capital.
